More than 100 people have donated blood in the hope of finding a life-saving tissue match for a man battling cancer.

Karen Jones organised yesterday's clinic at Hangleton Community Centre in Harmsworth Crescent, Hove, for her husband Martin, 41, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma seven years ago.

Despite extensive chemotherapy sessions, only a stem cell transplant from a bone marrow match will save Mr Jones' life.

Neither Mr Jones' brother or sister were found to be a match and a potential donor from America fell through earlier this year.

Among the donors yesterday were Martin's friend John Shepherd and the bluewatch crew from Hove fire station.

Mr Shepherd and Mr Jones, both 41, went to school together and were best men at each other's wedding.

Mr Shepherd said: "Giving a sample of blood was very simple and painless but it could make all the difference. I think a lot of people would have done this earlier if they knew how easy it was.

"I know the chances of me being a match for Martin are fairly minimal but if I don't help Martin I could help someone else."

Mrs Jones, 37, of Hangleton, Hove, said: "The chances of someone from this clinic helping Martin are really quite small but we could save someone else's life anywhere in the world.

"We have had a fantastic response. It keeps you feeling positive when you see so many people willing to register and do what they can to help."

Mr Jones, a father-of-two, now faces a week-long wait to see if any of the potential donors will be a match.

Mr Jones said: "I think a lot of people knew about my situation but when they read about the clinic in The Argus and saw it in black and white it spurred them into doing something."

Letters telling parents about the clinic were given out at Hangleton Infant and Junior School, where Mr Jones' two children, Hayley, eight, and Michael, four, are pupils and posters have been put up all over Brighton and Hove.

Leading firefighter Dan Nichols said: "We all saw the poster at work and thought it would be really good to come along and register. It's not nerve-wracking in the slightest, especially when you think it could save someone's life."

The process involves giving a small sample of blood and registering with the Anthony Nolan Trust as a potential donor. If your tissue type is a complete match, blood stem cells are collected from your bone marrow and a transplant is carried out.

To register as donor, you must be between 18 and 40, in good general health, weigh over 8st, not be severely overweight and be willing to help save the life of any patient you may match.

For more information about becoming a bone marrow donor, visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk or call 020 7284 1234 or the 24-hour hotline on 0901 8822234.